March Madness creates opportunity of a lifetime for two broadcast journalism students

It has been a wild March ride for South Carolina’s men’s basketball team as the Gamecocks
danced their way to a Cinderella run. The next stop for Carolina is Phoenix, Arizona
and the Final Four.

It has also been a madcap adventure for two University of South Carolina School of
Journalism and Mass Communications students.

Nic Jones and Brian Principe, both senior broadcast journalism students, have covered
the team since the beginning of the tournament run in Greenville, South Carolina,
for Carolina News.

Carolina News is the daily television broadcast that is run entirely by students in
the Capstone program of the journalism school. The show can be seen live on campus
television or via a stream online.

They have put together game previews, game recaps, Twitter updates, and full locker
room reaction from every game during the 2017 NCAA Tournament.

Following two wins in Greenville over Marquette and Duke, the Gamecocks advanced to
their first Sweet Sixteen in program history. Jones and Principe made the trip to
Madison Square Garden to report on the astonishing victories.

For the New Jersey-born Principe, the drive back up the East Coast was surreal. Principe
spent his youth attending games with his family in New York.

“Some of my favorite memories as a kid revolve around going to games at Madison Square
Garden,” Principe said. “Covering a game there was a dream come true.”

The Gamecocks continued to shock the college basketball world winning against Baylor
and Florida in New York on their way to the Final Four. Jones and Principe were on
the court capturing the moment Coach Frank Martin and Sindarius Thornwell cut down
the nets in celebration.

After covering the first four games, Jones and Principe became eligible to apply for
credentials for the Final Four in Arizona. They were approved and will be sent to
University of Phoenix Stadium by the SJMC.

Jones, who is pursuing a career as a television reporter, knows this historic sports
assignment is one reporters across the country would envy.

“Truly, it’s a blessing to have these opportunities through the journalism school,”
Jones said. “To have the chance to cover the Final Four is an experience I will always
treasure.”

Throughout championship weekend, Carolina News will circulate content from Phoenix
concluding with Monday’s National Championship game from University of Phoenix Stadium.

Through all the madness that will culminate this weekend, keep an eye out for Jones
and Principe, two seniors finishing out their Cinderella run through the NCAA Tournament.

Video Spotlight

Journalism students cover the men's basketball team during the NCAA tournament

Students Nic Jones and Brian Principe reflect on their experience covering the 2017
NCAA Basketball Tournament and going to the Final Four in Phoenix for the School of Journalism
School and Mass Communications.

Photo Gallery

Broadcast journalism students Brian Principe and Nic Jones at work during March Madness.